Gutter assembly

ABSTRACT

A gutter assembly ( 1 ) including a longitudinally extending channel ( 5 ) having an opening ( 10 ) and downwardly converging side surfaces ( 15 ) terminating at a bottom surface ( 20 ) to receive and disperse therealong water runoff from a roof ( 25 ) of a building ( 30 ). At the opening ( 10 ) the side surfaces ( 15 ) have a longitudinal edge portion ( 35 ) remote from the building ( 30 ) and a longitudinal edge portion ( 40 ) adjacent the building. Fastening means ( 50 ) secure the assembly ( 1 ) to the building. The side surfaces ( 15 ) are angularly offset relative to each other so that in use the center of gravity of the assembly ( 1 ) is adjacent the building ( 30 ) to thereby urge the assembly ( 1 ) towards the building when the assembly ( 1 ) is under load.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gutter assemblies and in particular toan asymmetrical gutter for a building such as a dwelling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Buildings such as dwellings typically include around a perimeter of theroof structure a series of gutters or the like to catch and distributerainwater.

Typical gutter assemblies do not effectively drain water run-off from aroof, do not prevent the accumulation of detritus and litter in thegutter, require extensive supports and downpipes, are not easilyinstalled in new buildings or able to be retro-fitted to existingbuildings.

Typical roof gutters include shallow semi-circular sections with abroadly rounded or flat bottom (or trough); are usually fabricated frompressed metal; are open to the elements from above; are mountedperpendicular to the fascia panel;. and are supported by internal and/orexternal brackets mounted on the fascia panel.

The above problems associated with conventional gutter design are due toat least the reason of their shape (especially if box shaped) as waterflows at a generally uniform rate over the entire depth of the trough.In a shallow semi-circular shaped gutter there is only a slightdifferential at the bottom. Also, being open, detritus and litter willenter the gutter and wildlife can climb or perch on or in the gutter. Byreason of the above there is a tendency for detritus and litter toaccumulate in the gutter. Such accumulations cause blockages and poolingof run-off with increased loading on the supports and tend to rust thegutter.

Significantly, the centre of gravity of typical gutter shifts outwardunder load and causes the gutter to fall away from the buildingstructure to which it is attached further decreasing drainageefficiency. The resultant water pooling encourages mosquitos and othersuch animals which breed and attract wildlife, rodents and vermin.Further, in dry seasons the litter accumulated in the gutters dries andis a fire hazard and in freezing conditions the contents of conventionalflat bottomed or shallow semi-circular gutters tend to expand sidewayscausing distortion and breakage.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate someof the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide a usefulalternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is firstly disclosed herein a gutter assembly including:

a longitudinally extending channel having an opening and downwardlyconverging side surfaces terminating at a bottom surface to receive anddisperse therealong water runoff from a roof of a building, at saidopening said side surfaces defining a longitudinal edge portion remotefrom the building and a longitudinal edge portion adjacent saidbuilding;

fastening means to secure said assembly to said building;

one said side surface is adapted to be mounted substantially parallel tosaid building, said other side surface being angularly offset relativethereto; so that in use the center of gravity of said assembly isadjacent said building to thereby urge said assembly towards saidbuilding when said assembly is under load.

Preferably, wherein said edges are inclined to the horizontal such thatthe edge adjacent said building is higher relative to said bottomsurface than the edge remote said building to define an angle ofinclination of said opening.

Preferably, wherein said angle of inclination substantially correspondsto the pitch of said roof.

Preferably, including a removable filter to extend across said openingbetween said edges.

Preferably, wherein said filter means includes a screen section throughwhich water is to pass to enter the channel, the screen being adapted toinhibit the passage of leaf material into the channel.

Preferably, wherein at least one said edge includes a tip extending in agenerally longitudinal direction along said opening.

Preferably, wherein one said side surface is adapted to be positionedunderneath said roof of said building.

Preferably, wherein said channel has a generally “V” shaped crosssection.

Preferably, wherein said channel has a generally “U” shaped crosssection.

Preferably, wherein said assembly is secured to an eave of saidbuilding;

Preferably, whereby said bottom surface has an arcuate cross section.

Therefore, in the preferred form the present invention provides arounded asymmetrical “V” shape gutter where the resultant maximisationof water flow velocity at the lowest, narrowest and deepest point, orapex, increases drainage flow and moves the centre of gravity under loadtowards the building to which it is attached. The integrated mesh grateor filter means is installed at the pitch of the roofline and also sealsand structurally strengthens the assembly whilst also preventing litterand detritus entering the assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a gutter system according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the gutter assembly of FIG. 1 in situ;

FIG. 3 is a cutaway side view of a gutter assembly of an embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a cutaway side view of a gutter assembly of a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There is disclosed herein a gutter assembly 1 having a longitudinalextending channel 5 having an opening 10 and downwardly converging sidesurfaces 15 terminating at a bottom surface 20 to receive and dispersetherealong water run-off from the roof 25 of a building 30. The channel5 is generally either “V” or “U” shaped in cross section and the bottomsurface 20 is typically arcuate or curved in cross section. At theopening 10 the side surfaces 15 have a longitudinal edge portion 35remote from the building 30 and a longitudinal edge portion 40 adjacentthe building 30. The longitudinal edge portion 35 remote from thebuilding 30 includes a lip 45. However, both edge portions 35, 40 couldinclude lips 45. Fastening means 50 in the form of screws, bolts, rivetsor the like secure the assembly 1 to the building 30. In particular, thefastening means 50 secure to the eaves of fascia panels of the building30. However, the assembly 1 could be attached to the building 30 in anylocation. The side surfaces 15 are angularly offset relative to eachother so that in use the center of gravity of the assembly 1 is adjacentthe building 30 to thereby urge the assembly 1 towards the building 30when the assembly 1 is under load conditions, such as, during rain.

In a particularly preferred form, one of the side surfaces 15 is adaptedto be mounted substantially parallel to the building 30 and the otherside surface is angularly offset relative thereto. Further, thelongitudinal edge portions 35, 40 are inclined to the horizontal suchthat the edge 40 adjacent the building 30 is higher relative to thebottom surface 20 than the edge 35 remote from the building 30 to definean angle of inclination of the opening 10. The angle of inclinationshould substantially correspond to the pitch of the roof 25 as best seenin FIG. 3.

The assembly 1 further includes a removable filter means 50 to extendacross the opening 10 between the edges 35, 40. In a preferred form thefilter means 50 would secure into the lip 45 and include a screensection 55 through which water is to pass to enter the channel 5. Thescreen 55 being adapted to inhibit the passage of leaf material into thechannel 5. In a preferred form one of the side surfaces 15 is adapted tobe positioned underneath a roof line of the building 30. The gutterassembly 1 therefore shows the distinctive rounded asymmetrical “V”shaped cross-section with the apex on bottom surface 20 located hardagainst the building 30. This shifts the centre of gravity of theassembly 1 towards the building 30 and reduces the need for supports.The integrated mesh grate 50 mounted at the pitch of the rooflineencloses and strengthens the gutter assembly 1 from above. In use, theasymmetrical gutter assembly 1 in at least the preferred embodiment hasthe following advantages:

the integrated mesh grate 50 is mounted at the pitch of the roof 25preventing droppings, detritus and litter entering the gutter assembly1. This causes droppings, detritus and litter to actually roll over andoff the gutter. The assembly 1 being fabricated in an asymmetrical “V”section water flows fastest and strongest at the apex or bottom surface20, flushing whatever material may have penetrated the mesh 50 andentered the channel 5, improving the quantity and quality of run-offwater. Also, being fabricated in an asymmetrical “V” section, the centreof gravity under load is at the apex or bottom surface 20 which restsagainst the fascia panel so that the load when full, beards hard on thefascia panel and is not cantilevered, improving strength under load andreducing the need for supports. Further, by increasing water flowvelocity and minimizing litter accumulation the capacity of the gutterassembly 1 is increased and the requirement for downpipes and connectingdrainage pipes is reduced. The gutter assembly 1 can be fabricated frommetal or a suitable plastic or other extrudable or malleable substancesin short or long sections. Also, if frozen the shape of the gutterassembly 1 causes vertical expansion of the contents. Being mounted atthe angle or pitch of the roofline wildlife is discouraged from perchingor resting on the gutter assembly 1 and fouling the contentsfacilitating harvesting and recycling of the run-off.

1. A gutter assembly including: a longitudinally extending channelhaving an opening and downwardly converging side surfaces terminating ata bottom surface to receive and disperse therealong water runoff from aroof of a building, at said opening said side surfaces defining alongitudinal edge portion remote from the building and a longitudinaledge portion adjacent said building; fastening means to secure saidassembly to said building; one said side surface being adapted to bemounted substantially parallel to said building, said other side surfacebeing angularly offset relative thereto; so that in use the center ofgravity of said assembly is adjacent said building to thereby urge saidassembly towards said building when said assembly is under load.
 2. Thegutter assembly according to claim 1, wherein said edges are inclined tothe horizontal such that the edge adjacent said building is higherrelative to said bottom surface than the edge remote said building todefine an angle of inclination of said opening.
 3. The gutter assemblyaccording to claim 2, wherein said angle of inclination substantiallycorresponds to the pitch of said roof.
 4. The gutter assembly accordingto claim 1, including a removable filter to extend across said openingbetween said edges.
 5. The gutter assembly according to claim 4, whereinsaid filter includes a screen section through which water is to pass toenter the channel, the screen being adapted to inhibit the passage ofleaf material into the channel.
 6. The gutter assembly according toclaim 1, wherein at least one said edge includes a lip extending in agenerally longitudinal direction along said opening.
 7. The gutterassembly according to claim 1, wherein one said side surface is adaptedto be positioned underneath said roof of said building.
 8. The gutterassembly according to claim 1, wherein said channel has a generally “V”shaped cross section.
 9. The gutter assembly according to claim 1,wherein said channel has a generally “U” shaped cross section.
 10. Thegutter assembly according to claim 1, wherein said assembly is securedto an eave of said building.
 11. The gutter assembly according to claim1, whereby said bottom surface has an arcuate cross section.